Wine Dinner Series At Gelston House Spotlights Producing Regions

TASTINGS

January 22, 1997

* The River Grill at the Gelston House in East Haddam presents a winter wine dinner series featuring different wine-producing regions of the world. On Saturday, the destination is Italy. The wines of Banfi Vineyards are featured along with a multicourse menu created by chef Jennifer Krascella. Highlights include porcini mushroom risotto, filet of beef and chocolate amaretto pudding. On Feb. 22, California will be highlighted, and the wines of Beaulieu Vineyards will be paired with Krascella's duck prosciutto, filet of red snapper and banana-macadamia tart. The series concludes March 15 with a gastronomic voyage to France. Louis Latour's Burgundies meet their match with Krascella's sauteed foie gras, roasted veal tenderloin and glazed fruits. All dinners begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Call (860) 873-1411.

* Wine Lovers International and New Haven's Cafe Pika Tapas combine talents for a Jan. 28 event called ``Tapas & Wine: An Evening in the Old Country.'' Four different tapas will be paired with 10 Spanish wines including Fillaboa Albarino '95 D.O. Rias Baixas, and the Joaquin Rebolledo Reserva '90 D.O. Valdeorras. Inaki Castro of Maja Imports will introduce the wines. Starting time is 7:30 p.m. Cost is $31 per person, including tax and tip. Snow date is Jan. 29. Call (203) 469-4218.

* Wine Lovers International is also sponsoring a bus trip to the Boston Wine Expo Feb. 8. The event features products from more than350 domestic and international wineries from 18 countries along with 50 purveyors of fine foods. The $60 price includes round-trip transportation from New Haven to the World Trade Center where the expo is held; one day's admission ($38 at the door); and optional dinner at Joe Tecce's in Boston's North End (an additional $31) or two hours on your own in Boston. To reserve, call (203) 469-4218 by Friday.

* Farmington's Hot Tomato's presents Bert Grant's Real Ales at a Jan. 29 beer dinner. Highlights of the four-course menu include smoked salmon hash with field greens and rabbit stew with fennel and white beans. Ales from the Yakima, Wash., brewery will accompany each course. Starting time is 7 p.m. Cost is $35 per person, excluding tax and tip. Call (860) 676-2254.